Flood Warning

I have done really well with the whole NOT crying thing regarding this move.

I have a pretty good grasp on a number of key phrases I use when confronted with someone saying “It sucks that you’re moving.” <—which is not always how it’s put, but it all comes down the same sentiment.

Because I want to think that it’s sweet and lovely that people will miss us when we’re gone, but DAMMIT! if it doesn’t feel like a knife slice straight to the heart each and every time.

YES, I know that there will be daily email, text, Facebook and phone call exchanges.

That won’t make up for quick trips out to meet for coffee, long lunches over pitchers of sangria and pedicures filled with laughter.

YES, I know the kids will quickly make new friends and adjust to life in a new area.

It doesn’t stop my heart from aching when they realize that movie outings and playdates with THESE friends are coming to an end and their sadness compounds mine.

YES, I know that friends will come to visit.

But I also know that it won’t be as many as say they will, and not nearly frequently enough.

YES, I know that it’s a great place to make a new start for our family, free of the reputation of being the “cancer family”.

But cancer brought us relationships that are yet another family to say goodbye to.

As the days are counting down to packing the truck and bidding farewell to Florida, it’s not leaving the beach or the house or the PLACE that makes me hurt inside, it’s all the people that we love.

There are relationships that will fade over the miles.

There are some that will strengthen and make the distance that much harder to bear.

With every day that moves us closer to our move, every box that is filled and each LAST we experience, the reality of leaving behind this security net looms larger. I can’t begin to explain what leaving these people who have loved us, supported us, shared their faith and carried us through unimaginable times does to me.

This move is such a great thing for my family, we are finally going to be together the way we should after a very long seventeen months apart. We are going to be moving into a beautiful house to start fresh. New friends, new adventures, new challenges and new opportunities await.

But the goodbyes.

The goodbyes are killing me.

The crying is about to start…a few tears leaked out already…and once it starts, it’s going to get ugly.

I’ve done plenty of moving the last few years and all I gotta say is it’s overrated. But, if it is any consolation, I’d miss you a bunch if you stopped Tweeting and I’m really looking forwarding to meeting you at BlogHer and we’ve never even met yet. These friends you’re leaving behind…I’m sure they’ll find a way to follow you like I have and it will seem like you’re right there:)

I am so sorry you have to move. I know how hard it will be. My husband and I moved about 3 months after we got married and it was so hard to be away from family. But I know you will settle in too and make new friends. Wish there was more I could do… ((hug))

*hugs* don’t look at it as loosing friends, look at is as gaining a wonderful vacation place. You can always go back and see them and they can always see you. Yes it wont be the same, and yes you will probably over time end up loosing touch with some (though I really do hope you don’t) Then you can introduce your FL friends to your new friends and they’ll all be jealous that you have so many wonderful friends…..Hang in there….. oh and its not goodbye instead it should be “till next time”

We just went through the same thing. We left my family, friends and the only home I had ever known back in December. (Two months after the death of my mom…if you’re counting. Which I’m not because it’s still too painful.)

I have been pleasantly surprised by the people that have stayed with us. It was honestly the friends that I thought we’d loose almost immediatly.

At the same time, I have been saddened by those who do not return emails or texts. Those that you swore would be ‘lifers’.

But with all of that, I can honestly say that in almost five months time, I have found new friends to call, new families to get to know and ultimately, those we left behind, the one’s we truly loved, are still there.

Hang tough, sweetie.

(And I just realized that I typed ‘hang tough’ after hearing the New Kids on the Block in the background on the Today Show. Shoot me now…)

As people who’ve been moving once every 3 and 9 months, we’ve become surprisingly adept at the goodbye. I guess the way I look at it is that if the friendship is strong enough, then it will never be your last meeting. There may be long interludes, but goodbye is never forever. Besides, think about how much more special your time with those people will be!

Anissa you made me want to cry. I am so glad you will all be together and I know you all we be back to visit. I wish you all the best as you start off on this new adventure. Give Peyton a hug for me! Love Cindi